Pursuit Creative Conference
For the past few months I’ve been working on an incredible project that I’m pretty excited to introduce.
Pursuit is a full-day conference designed to support creative entrepreneurs and their ventures. It is a community of mini empire makers who gather to share ideas, collaborate on projects and inspire a new perspective on business growth. The goal is to start small but strong and to have this event grow into a destination conference for creative entrepreneurs of all types.
Our inaugural event is slated for Saturday, October 3 in New Orleans.
I’m writing this post for two reasons:
1. We need your help. To produce the conference we need to raise $12,000 through a Kickstarter campaign to cover venue costs, conference logistics, and various materials. The scariest part of Kickstarter is that if we don’t reach our target goal, we won’t receive any of the money raised. We’re using the Kickstarter to pre-sale deeply discounted tickets, but even if you can’t make the official event, I would like to personally request your financial support.
https://www.kickstarter.com/
And if you’re feeling really generous, we’ve made it super easy for you to help share the campaign: http://www.
2. I am responsible for coordinating the speakers for the conference. We have already confirmed a few interesting speakers that specialize in blogging and coaching, but I am looking for additional ideas. If you have any personal connections to anyone that has ditched the 9-5 and started a creative business, I would love to hear your thoughts. While they don’t have to be “famous,” ideally they will have a significant digital audience and feel comfortable speaking in front of 150 people.
Has it really been a year!
It’s hard to imagine that a year ago I decided to leave my full time job at NOCCA to start my own design and marketing company.
12 months later and I have had the opportunity to work on a slew of amazing projects with interesting clients. There have been amazing triumphs and some scary moments, but overall it has been an empowering opportunity to trust in my talents and grow as a creative entrepreneur.
The highlights:
1. Building interactive websites for the Columbia University Film Festival, Church Alley Coffee Bar, and Calliope Consulting.
2. Designing and producing the menus for zodiac themed restaurant Ursa Major and a beautiful brochure for New Orleans Business Alliance.
3. Teaching my first-ever creative class: The Self Promotion Project.
4. Opening a collaborative shop on Oretha Castle Haley with Goods that Matter and the Stacks bookstore, which encouraged me to recently launch an Etsy shop.
5. Managing a team of bloggers to produce local lifestyle publication goINVADE.
Reflecting on the past year, is both humbling and exciting. My passion is creating meaningful experiences for mission-driven companies and I believe in the transformative power of design, strong messaging, and a clearly defined voice.
I am tremendously thankful for the amazing clients and my supportive friends and family that have been a part of the most amazing adventure of my life.
If you or anyone you know is interested in top-notch design solutions, visit thiscreativelab.com to request a quote on services.
Thank you!
Press: 3 Times the ESSENCE: An Inside Look from Local Pros
DJ Soul Sister, Justin Shiels, and Fresh Johnson share their top tips for navigating the Superdome (and the Superlounges).
Ironically, you can’t boil ESSENCE down to a single word.
“ESSENCE Music Festival is a cross-generational experience celebrating black identity,” says Justin Shiels, a creative strategist and founder of the weekly lifestyle publication goINVADE, offering a “rebellious and optimistic” take on culture. Turns out, those two words are pretty fitting for Shiels himself.
He isn’t afraid to stick it to Starbucks or venture outside the CBD when looking for a fried chicken fix, and he’s quick to acknowledge jazz getting its due at ESSENCE.
Here’s what else he’s up to at ESSENCE:
The ESSENCE speaker series is all about empowerment. Whose presentation are you most looking forward to?
I’m personally excited about India.Arie and Iyanla Vanzant. These women are truly an inspiration, building careers around their uplifting messages.
I also secretly am excited to see Cynthia Bailey and Kandi Burruss. The Real Housewives of Atlanta is my guilty little pleasure…
It’s beautiful to see so many people from across the United States converging in the city of New Orleans. But music is important, too. Top acts?
With artists like Common, Erykah Badu, and Missy Elliot, I’m looking forward to having a blast from the past. Then we have Esperanza Spalding and Robert Glasper. It’s nice to see that jazz has a place at ESSENCE.
Festivals… well, we’ve got our share. What makes ESSENCE special?
More than anything, ESSENCE Music Festival is a cross-generational experience celebrating black identity. It’s beautiful to see so many people from across the United States converging in the city of New Orleans.
Hunger strikes mid fest. Where are you headed in the CBD?
Ursa Major. [It’s] a world cuisine restaurant with an astrological twist in the South Market District.
Anywhere else?
Willie Mae’s Scotch House. It’s a cab ride to the French Quarter, but it is hands-down the best fried chicken and red beans in the city!
Borgne [in the CBD] has an amazing happy hour with delicious cocktails and hearty portions. You should also order the beignets at The Ritz-Carlton and grab a Sazerac at The Roosevelt New Orleans. Cochon Butcher for the meat lovers, and Carmo for vegan and vegetarian-friendly dishes.
For coffee, I recommend Haro Coffee and Chocolate and Merchant. These coffee shops will convince you to dump Starbucks for good.
Check out Shiels’ publication, goINVADE for insider events and happenings in the city.
Photography by: Paul Broussard